Hypnosis - What is it?

What is Hypnosis & How Does it Work?

Modern Hypnosis has been constantly refined over the past 100 years, but the technique has been around since the Egyptian Priests used rhythmic chanting to ‘heal’ many thousands of years ago.

Hypnosis is not a therapy … it is a name given in the 1800’s, by pre-eminent Scottish surgeon James Braid, to an altered state of awareness. People enter this altered ‘hypnotic’ state naturally numerous times each and every day, yet there are still many misconceptions surrounding it.

People have been fascinated with Hypnosis and Hypnotism because they hold the flawed belief that hypnosis gives people ‘magical power’ over others. It’s an appealing thought but, unfortunately for all hypnotists, it just isn’t true!

There are various hypotheses around regarding ‘how’ hypnosis functions, the most common of which regards the separation of the mind into two distinct elements: the conscious and the subconscious (sometimes referred to as the unconscious). Notice that we are using the term ‘mind’ and not brain: the brain is NOT the mind. Throughout our daily lives, we hold ‘internal dialogue’ with ourselves i.e. with our conscious mind, that we consider to be ‘thinking’.

On the other hand, our subconscious mind takes charge of pretty much every other aspect of our lives that do not require conscious thought e.g. breathing, operating our circulatory system, digestive system etc. Interestingly, as we bring the subject of breathing to your attention, your breathing patterns will slightly alter … because you will have switched this function from subconscious to conscious control just from adjusting your thinking. If your thoughts can adjust your breathing, what else do you think they might be capable of?

Although we humans consider ourselves to be conscious creatures, really we are unconscious ones! On a daily basis, most of what we do is governed by the subconscious mind. It is this fact that the skilled hypnotist uses to seamlessly induce someone into a hypnotic trance state. It is as if we are giving the conscious mind permission to ‘switch off’ or ‘rest’ or simply ‘look away’ for a while whilst we communicate with the subconscious mind of the individual.

How does hypnosis actually work?

Another popular misconception about hypnosis, and probably the most common one, is that you are actually sleeping! Nothing could be further from the truth, in fact.

When a person is guided into a hypnotic trance, the awareness of the conscious mind ‘joins’ with the awareness of the subconscious mind, creating a heightened state of awareness where you are capable of thinking on both levels simultaneously. The most common examples of the hypnotic state are, firstly, that period of time in the morning when you are almost fully awake, but not quite (or, equally, the same state just before you fall asleep), and what is known as ‘highway hypnosis’ i.e. when you are driving on a familiar stretch of road and you reach your destination without remembering consciously quite how you got there.

Athletes often speak about getting themselves ‘in the zone’ before a race, and this is another good example of hypnotic trance, but you may achieve the same whilst at work each day, for example when time flies past as you perform a favourite task.

Hypnotherapists will gently guide you into this state of mind (using a technique known as an Induction), and once the state is achieved will communicate with the subconscious mind to achieve the desired outcome.

We create many problems in our lives because our conscious mind ‘over thinks’ a problem, resulting in the subconscious being given an incorrect perception about something. When in the hypnotic trance state, and when positively phrased ‘suggestions’ or ‘ideas’ or ‘concepts’ are given that match something that you consciously want e.g. to lose weight, or stop smoking, then your unconscious mind is willing to readily accept without the burden of the conscious mind over analysing them. Once accepted, these suggestions, with conscious management, will become the new and accepted ‘normal’ behaviour.

Can Anybody be Hypnotised?

In short, yes, anybody can be hypnotised. Everyone enters a hypnotic trance at least twice daily: those moments in both the morning and the evening when you are just on the verge of sleep and wakefulness. These are known as the hypnogogic and hypnopompic states, in fact.

A more pertinent question is “Can Anybody Enjoy Successful Therapy Under Hypnosis?”

In answering that we must look at our clients individually. There are two simple pre-requisites for successful therapy under hypnosis: your genuine and passionate wish to succeed; and your effort. There are no magic wands, no spells or cantrips, no rituals or incantations.

When in a hypnotic trance, your mind is more aware, more focused than ever and thus creates the perfect conditions for powerful, positive suggestions to be accepted. If you want to accept them, and work hard to reinforce them, then your success is certain.

Research across the globe is proving just how effective Hypnotherapy is at delivering lasting changes in people’s lives, whether in relation to weight loss, smoking cessation, IBS treatment, Anxiety resolution etc. etc. Click the button below for details.

Problems that might be helped with Hypnotherapy

As professional hypnotherapists based in West Lothian, Scotland, we can help you to overcome many of the problems and symptoms that are holding you back from leading the abundant, happy and fulfilling life that you deserve.

It may be that you desperately want to stop smoking, to stop killing yourself with the 4,000 known poisons in each puff, to stop harming everyone around you with your smoke. Perhaps you need to overcome Social Anxiety to stop you from feeling judged, lacking in self confidence, or perhaps even leaving you unable to engage with people entirely.

You might simply have reached the stage where your weight is more than a physical burden, where it drags you down both physically and emotionally. Perhaps you are afraid to enter confined spaces, face up to wriggly creatures, or even give a speech at your best friends wedding.

All of these, and many, many more can be helped with Hypnotherapy. Some further examples can be examined by clicking the button below.

Stanford University is a respected university, ranked 2nd worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. At the Stanford Centre for Integrative Medicine, hypnosis is considered effective to help with the following conditions:

The Benefits of Hypnosis

The therapies we use here at Tranceformed Perceptions, both provide the best possible conditions to allow clients to succeed and help clients to identify internal resources, for example, previous times when they have overcome some adversity, which they can bring to bear on their current problem. The sessions themselves are incredibly relaxing which in itself can bring fantastic health benefits e.g. reduced stress levels.

When the body and mind are aligned, amazing results are possible.

However, let’s not forget the soul. Our Spiritual Hypnosis sessions can be incredibly empowering, helping individuals to find their true path in life and gaining a deeper understanding of themselves for both spiritual and personal development.

The primary benefit of hypnosis in everything that we do is to provide you with the very optimal conditions under which your mind, body (and soul) can integrate and focus on achieving what YOU want.

Is Hypnosis Safe?

Thank you very much, Paul McKenna! You too, Derren Brown!

It’s a sad fact, but the antics of TV and stage hypnotists have delivered a bundle of misconception into the minds of most people regarding the safety of hypnosis. But … it’s time to set the record straight.

Hypnotherapy is perfectly safe. None of the treatments offered by Tranceformed Perceptions can cause harm to our clients. We would not be ethical practitioners if that were not the case.

In fact, hypnosis has caused massive improvements in human life. For example, in the 1950’s, anaesthetists at the world renowned Mayo Clinic in the USA introduced hypnosis into their practice and not only reduced the amount of dangerous anaesthetic chemicals used on each patient by approximately 75%, but reduced the amount of anaesthetic related death or injury to NIL. Over 1,300 operations were performed in this way without a single death which, at that time, was astounding.

The only time that we may steer-away from using Hypnosis is if there has ever been any history of Psychosis in your past. (Psychosis is due to imbalances or problems with the physical brain as opposed to Psychological conditions which are more to do with thinking or emotional problems).

Dr. John Gruzilier of the Imperial College School of Medicine explains: The reason we're more willing to go along with what's put to us [during hypnosis] is because the aspects of our brain that are normally critically analysing what's sent to us are no longer working. In fact they're even inhibited. This makes us more suggestible.

All conditions that we can treat with hypnotic techniques require two critical elements for success: your desire to make the change, and your maximum effort. If you have these, nothing can stop you!

Information

The material included herein is intended to complement, not replace, the advice of your own physician, psychotherapist, or other healthcare professional, whom you should always consult about your circumstances before starting or stopping any medication or any other course of treatment, exercise regimen, or diet.

“… you’ve made me a man again! I can’t thank you enough, and neither can Mrs ******! I wasn’t able to perform [sexually], and have had it like that for years. Going back and finding out why this happened meant that I could deal with it. My only issue is that the sessions aren’t long enough. I felt so good that I didn’t want to come out [of hypnosis]”

Billy, Cumbernauld

“I don’t know how to write this, so bear with me. For years, … I’ve pretended to orgasm so often that … I didn’t think it was even possible. You blew that idea out of my head alright. When I think about it it feels weird. I go to ‘sleep’ and wake up able to have shuddering orgasms but I feel so good about it that I just disregard my own surprise. I will certainly be recommending you.”

Suzanne, Edinburgh

“Colin, we’re just back from holiday … I did the self hypnosis trick you showed me and imagined the flight as I wanted to experience it. It was great to be part of the trip this time … I must admit that I felt a little anxious in preparation for the holiday, but stuck with your ‘homework’ and it paid off big time. Thanks, buddy, for all your help.”

Charlie, Bathgate

“I’ve tried the patches, tried the gum, and it didn’t make a blind bit of difference. I was stunned by what you were telling me in our session, couldn’t believe it, but you took the time to explain it and it really hit home. I AM A NON SMOKER … and I love it. Thank you so much. Can you please tell me why is this not available on the NHS?”

Caroline, East Calder

“Thank you, Colin, for giving me back my self confidence. You know what it’s like and you gave me the encouragement to lose my weight. This time, the weight is falling off me!I’ve lost almost two stones already … I feel in control again.”